Millie Hylton

Sarah Frances Louise Rudge (8 February 1870 – 1 September 1920), known professionally as Millie Hylton, was an English actress, dancer and principal boy in pantomime.

Early life Sarah Frances Louise Rudge was born on 8 February 1870 on 22 Hope Street, Birmingham, to Annie Elizabeth (née Hemming) and Henry Rudge. Her father worked as brass founder and a chandelier maker, while her mother had a brief acting career in the Birmingham area. She was one of five sisters (collectively known as the Rudge Sisters): Letitia Elizabeth Letty Lind, Elizabeth a.k.a. Adelaide Astor, Lydia a.k.a. Lydia Flopp (1877–1963) and Fanny a.k.a. Fanny Dango. Hylton was reputedly only four years old when she first went on the stage at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham. After returning to the music halls, Hylton made her American debut in 1888 at Tony Pastor's theatre in Long Beach and later performed at his theatre in New York. Afterwards, she toured with Pastor's theatre troupe.

Her most famous songs were "The Rowdy-dowdy Boys", "Linger Longer Loo", and "The Last of the Dandies". In 1895, Hylton gave birth to a daughter, Millie Sim, who would later become an actress. One year later, in 1896, Hylton sued Sim for divorce, alleging physical and verbal abuse, however they remained married until Sim's death from consumption in 1901. she died at her home, 13 Langdale Gardens, Steyning, from cancer on 1 September 1920, at the age of 50. She was buried at Putney Vale Cemetery.